In each quatrain a different subject is discussed and described, the subject is then changed at the start of each new quatrain.
A Shakespearean sonnet has the rhyming pattern ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
For example in sonnets “130”, the first quatrain shows this rhyming pattern, it is at the beginning so is the ABAB part.
“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.”
The rhyming couplet, i.e. GG, often finishes a Shakespearean sonnet, for example the last two lines of sonnet 130. This type of ending often ends the poem with a satisfactory conclusion, as below illustrates.
“And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare”
This essay will explore and explain how Shakespeare expressed his feelings about love and eternity through his sonnets. One of Shakespeare’s famous sonnets will be used to illustrate the findings (“sonnet 130”)
In sonnet 130, in the first quatrain Shakespeare talks about her eyes being "nothing like the sun" and coral being "far more red" than her lips. He continues in the same vain throughout quatrains two and three, claiming that the breath form his mistress "reeks" and that he doesn't see roses in her cheeks. The last verse, the couplet, takes a turn however and Shakespeare explains his love that she doesn't need false comparisons she is beautiful to him "…
Even though Shakespeare does not think his mistress is conventionally beautiful it is clear that he loves her:
“And yet, by, heaven, I think my love as rare as any belied with false
compare”
This is the most obvious quote to choose to show that Shakespeare loves his lover. He also says
“I love to hear her speak”.
This shows that even though Shakespeare knows his lover is not the most beautiful woman in the world he loves her for who she is.
He also uses the couplet at the end of the sonnet to make a final point and conclude the poem by which he uses colour that most stands out to describe her features
“Red and white” roses and “black wires”
Shakespeare subverts the conventions of love poetry. He changes the traditional love sonnet, into a sonnet, which does not exaggerate.
Finally Shakespeare uses the last couplet to change the sonnet around and explain the poem whereas in sonnet 18 for an example he just sums up what he has been saying and draws the sonnet to an end.
In my opinion despite the fact that Shakespeare is saying that his “mistress” is nothing like the things he compares her to but his love is “rare”, I would not appreciate if it was my lover writing this particular sonnet about me because it would be nice to know that my lover at least thinks there is one thing beautiful about me that attracted me to him.
